Climate Change, Economics, Energy, Most Popular
Green MBAs Find $350 Million With Climate Corps
This past summer, 47 Fortune 1000 companies discovered opportunities for saving a combined $350 million through energy efficiency measures. Across all projects, these savings represent an opportunity to reduce over 400,000 metric tons of annual greenhouse gas (ghg) emissions. These figures are enough to catch the attention of any business manager looking to improve the [...]
Solving the Energy Efficiency Puzzle
In 2008 and 2009, McKinsey & Company published two leading reports that describe the vast potential for economic and environmental gains that are possible through energy efficiency measures. However, it’s almost 2011 and we have yet to see widespread investment in such (EE) measures. This begs the question, “why don’t we see more businesses and [...]
The Private Equity Industry Just Got Greener
This past summer, one of the world’s largest private equity firms, Kohlberg Kravis and Roberts (KKR) released updated results from the company’s Green Portfolio Program and their accomplishments are impressive. Across eight portfolio companies, the program has generated a combined savings of more than $160 million in operating expenses, the avoidance of over 345,000 metric [...]
The Impact of Free Trade on Climate Change
On Friday, the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) published a report that indicates increased economic activity could result in a rise in carbon dioxide emissions. However, the report also stipulates that increased ease of trade can also help combat climate change through delivering energy efficient and renewable energy technologies [...]
Will China initiate a carbon tax?
China’s Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Environmental Protection have requested research from a regional think-tank to develop preliminary proposals for a national carbon tax. The proposals, which are due for publication within the month, may one day become a part of the Chinese government’s strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. International governments have pressed [...]
Governor Sarah Palin Rejects Federal Funding for Renewable Energy
Alaska governor Sarah Palin has rejected $28.6 million dollars in federal stimulus money for Alaska’s State Energy Program. However, Gov. Palin did accept all other federal stimulus money that her state is eligible for ($930 million). Palin’s rejection of the funds is founded in her opposition to strengthening state building codes and making energy efficiency [...]
Will the US be the Leading Market for Electric Vehicles?
As industry leaders closely watch the consumer response to new electric vehicles, ideas are quickly taking shape in regards to where manufacturers should target their sales and production. While North American, European and Chinese auto manufacturers race to bring a viable electric car to market, the question remains, who will arrive first and where will [...]
American Clean Energy and Security Act: What business leaders need to know.
It’s been an exciting week as commentaries on the merits and shortcomings of the American Clean Energy and Security Act have taken place among the sustainability and business leadership communities. If enacted, this legislation could propel the US into an entirely new economy comprised of clean energy technologies & infrastructure, reduced greenhouse gas emissions across [...]
"Solar as a service"
If you have not already read about the innovative business model that Recurrent Energy is built around, you might want to spend some time reading about their, “solar as a service” approach to enabling commercial, residential and government entities to adopt a solar energy infrastructure without investing in the upfront costs. EIA‘s updated Annual Energy [...]
Updates: Investing in the carbon market
If the next US President accepts the agreements of the Kyoto Protocol, the carbon market is estimated to reach $3 trillion by 2020. Now more than ever, investors are looking for data to guide their carbon market investment strategies. Carbon Disclosure Project data is now available via the BLOOMBERG PROFESSIONAL service. This new dataset will make [...]
